Greetings from the Capitol. It was a productive week in Jefferson City. Medicaid expansion continues to be debated and discussed on the floor. The new eligible group are most single males in between the ages of 18 and 30. Missourians were told that this expansion would cover the working poor in Missouri. Therefore, all we are asking is that they do just that, work. We also worked on some good legislation regarding Covid Vaccinations.
Medicaid Reform Constitutional Amendment Receives House Approval (HJR 117)
A proposed constitutional amendment is now on its way to the Senate that would allow voters to decide if key reforms should be enacted for the state’s growing Medicaid program. House members approved HJR 117, which would ask voters if three key changes should be made to the Medicaid program in Missouri. One proposed change contained in the measure would clarify the legislature’s authority to appropriate based on population. In effect it would allow lawmakers to decide whether to appropriate funds for the Medicaid expansion population. The bill’s sponsor said the change “could be very important in future years when and if potentially Medicaid becomes prohibitively expensive that it continues to encroach upon other priorities within our state budget.” Another provision in the proposed change to the constitution would put work and community engagement requirements in place for Medicaid recipients ages 19 to 64. They would be required to work at least 80 hours each month, or participate in education, job skills training, community service, or other alternatives. The proposal would exempt individuals with disabilities or serious medical conditions, as well as pregnant individuals and primary caregivers for young children or dependent adults. The provision also allows the Department of Social Services to permit further exemptions from the requirements in areas of high unemployment, areas with limited economic or educational opportunities, areas that lack public transportation, or otherwise for good cause. Under the provision, the Department of Social Services is required to apply for a waiver from the federal government to put the work requirements in place. The final component of HJR 117 would ensure Missouri’s Medicaid benefits are provided only to residents of the state. The sponsor said the change is meant to fix a problem that occurs in Missouri, which is the only state to provide add-on payments for Medicaid recipients from other states who receive care in Missouri.
The proposed constitutional amendment now moves to the Senate.
The House also approved HB 2358 & 1485 to clearly affirm the right of an employee to receive an exemption from a COVID-19 vaccine requirement if the employee requests one based on certain sincerely held beliefs. The bill clarifies the religious exemption includes theistic as well as non-theistic beliefs. The bill would require an employer to provide reasonable accommodations for the request unless clear and convincing evidence proves it would cause an undue hardship or be a direct threat to other employees or customers. The bill’s sponsor said, “The heart and soul of this bill recognizes religious freedom. It recognizes in Missouri what is federal law – that the employee gets to make that decision about what their strong and sincere beliefs are. Most importantly, this bill is a lifeline to those many businesses that want to work with their employees; that want to give them reasonable accommodations.”
HB 2358 & 1485 also ensures an employee who is injured, disabled, or killed due to an employer-required COVID-19 vaccination would be compensated. The bill would treat the injuries resulting from the vaccine as an occupational disease. Additionally, an employee terminated or discharged for failing to comply with a COVID-19 vaccination requirement would still be eligible for unemployment benefits.
Both bills are now under consideration in the Senate.
If there is anything we can do to help you with government at any level give us a call at 573-751-2042 or email me at Travis.Smith@house.mo.gov
God bless you and keep you safe.
